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ej22tgc8 
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 Topic: Test kits
Posted: March 16 2010 at 1:07pm |
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Are there any water testing kits that excel above the rest?
Thanks,
John.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 1:29pm |
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Elos, La Motte and Salifert.
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downhill_biker
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 1:58pm |
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Are you looking for test kits for a reef tank? Salifert are good kits and people generally like them. I personally use API for my personal tank, I think they are close enough since most of the parameters we deal with are a "range". They are much cheaper. If you have the money get Salifert. You need to test calcium, alkalinity, ammonia, and nitrates. You also need salinity and temp. If you get the API kit get the "reef master kit" and not the "saltwater master kit".
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Make sure you post your best pictures every month in our POTM forum.
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ej22tgc8
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 2:26pm |
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I'm doing a FOWLR to start with. I figure I'll learn how to keep my tank stable and healthy for hearty fish before I even think about a reef.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 2:31pm |
Corals are ten times easier than fish in my opinion. I kill fish every time I put them in my tank. Give me a coral and I can't get the dang thing to die. Softies like leathers, zoanthids, mushrooms are all extremely easy to keep.
Also corals filter the water and fish pollute it.
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Will Spencer
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 2:39pm |
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Ryan is right. The only hard thing about keeping corals is paying for the correct lighting. Once you have that many corals are very easy to keep, much easier than fish.
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ej22tgc8
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 2:58pm |
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Back to the topic at hand. I guess the main thing is I'm starting with a bunch of base rock and sand. So my tank is going to have to cycle. So my current water testing needs are based on monitoring a cycling tank.
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Ryan Thompson
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 3:00pm |
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Nitrates and Ammonia. The API test that Curtis talked about is perfect for you.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 7:08pm |
I don't mean to point out your mistakes, but you may be starting off on the wrong foot. Already you are informed that coral are easier than fish, so setting up a coral tank is the way you should go.
Second, you have the mistaken idea that the tank needs to take weeks or months to cycle. That's simply not the case. Read my thread again that discusses the biology of reef tanks and how to set one up in a week with both coral and fish: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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bugzme
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 7:15pm |
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Lol If I buy a fish it is for sushi
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Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
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fishoutawater
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 7:16pm |
It may not take weeks/months? with experienced reefers, but, I would be careful about encouraging anyone to stock a tank with fish and corals in the first week. I have read/heard many more horror stories about going too fast... I take that back. I have never heard a horror story about taking your time and doing your research. Mistakes can be very expensive, and take all the fun out of the hobby.
Sorry, this was about test kits. Alk, nitrates to start, ca and mag after you add corals. I like salifert for everything but nitrates.
Edited by fishoutawater - March 16 2010 at 7:21pm
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Some day, when I grow up,...
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: March 16 2010 at 7:34pm |
Anyone who clearly reads and follows the procedures that I outline in that thread can do it. It's science, but not rocket science. It does take as much live stuff as you can start with. I'm not saying not to test, though I have not tested N compounds for many many years, what I am saying is that more important than testing is to understand how to use the biology to your advantage in setting up a tank that does not go through a destructive "cycle".
The LFS in general do not know this and do not want to be seen as the culprit when the customer comes back complaining.
I on the other hand have been doing this intensely for 17 years, have worked at an LFS and have setup and seen ~1000 reef tanks. I am available almost anytime to help a new hobbyist start up their tank and have a good successful experience doing it. Just call me.
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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bugzme
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Posted: March 27 2010 at 4:59pm |
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Yeah what Mark say's!! Then test everything
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Jeff
125 tank
50 gallon sump
T-5 lighting
Rum drinker, Carbon User
I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!!
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